Temporomandibular disorders

You might think to seek help with your primary care doctor for treatment, however it is your Dental Professional you should see first.

Temporomandibular disorders are a group of problems that cause pain and poor function in the jaw joint and the muscles responsible for jaw movement.

They’re also called TMD, or TMJ (short for temporomandibular joint) and may affect more than 10 million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health, with women affected more often than men.

It can be incredibly debilitating, with severe TMJ simple tasks such as eating, or talking, can be difficult and can no longer be taken for granted.

For some people, the disc within the jaw joint slips out of position during sleep, waking up in the morning to find they can’t open their mouth more than 10 millimeters when a normal opening is approx. 50 millimeters.